Foldable Tray Blank With Segmented Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable trays lack improved carrying and securing abilities, are not easily adaptable to articles of various sizes, and have complex folding processes, making them economically inefficient for the food and beverage industry.
Innovation Solution
A foldable blank for forming a tray with distinct panels and segments, including cutouts and adhesive strips, allowing for easy assembly into a unitary tray that can accommodate different-sized articles, featuring a handle and article retainers for secure storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional foldable trays are designed as unitary size, then manufacturing is simple, but articles of various sizes cannot be accommodated and products move within the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple modular compartments separated by dividers. Each compartment can independently hold articles of different sizes, preventing movement while maintaining a simple unitary blank structure that folds into place.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray design incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow the same tray structure to accommodate various sizes and types of articles (cups, plates, containers) through movable dividers and flexible compartment arrangements.
2Reliability
If conventional trays lack securing mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but articles cannot be securely held during transport
Solution Approach 1:
Article retainers are strategically positioned at specific locations within compartments rather than throughout the entire tray. These localized securing elements provide targeted retention for articles during transport without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure utilizes its own folded walls and compartments to create natural retention spaces for articles, eliminating the need for separate complex securing mechanisms while maintaining article stability during transport.
3Ease of operation
If the folding sequence is complex, then the tray can be assembled, but the assembly process is not quick and simple
Solution Approach 1:
The blank is pre-configured with pre-creased fold lines and pre-positioned adhesive areas that guide the folding sequence. This preliminary structuring allows the tray to be assembled quickly through intuitive folding actions without requiring complex instructions or multiple steps.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural elements are combined into a single unitary blank that folds into the complete tray. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts, reducing assembly time and simplifying the process to a single continuous folding action.
Data Source
AI summary
A blank for forming a tray, wherein the blank includes a first panel extending along a lateral axis configured to form an outer side of an erected tray and a second panel extending along the lateral axis coupled to the first panel by a fold line, the second panel being configured to form an inner side of the erected tray. Each of the first and second panels includes a base section, a first lateral section foldably coupled to the base section, a first end section foldably coupled to the first lateral section, a second lateral section foldably coupled to the base section, and a second end section foldably coupled to the second lateral section.